New Orleans LB would relish playing for LSU, DC Dave Aranda

Shahid Reece doesn’t hold an offer from LSU — yet — but the linebacker’s stock is certainly on the rise.

The three-star prospect out of Archbishop Rummel High School (Metairie, La.) spent much of his Saturday at LSU’s Junior Day sitting down with Tigers first-year defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, examining film and discussing what the coach desires out of the linebackers in his system.

For Reece, the fit was obvious. And as he awaits an offer, Reece knows that LSU is in a good position with Aranda running the show.

“Junior Day was good,” Reece told SEC Country. “I was able to meet with the coaches and actually got to watch film with the linebackers coach (Bradley Dale Peveto) and Coach Aranda and was able to learn some stuff just by watching that. LSU is going in the right direction. They want to keep the hometown players in The Boot, and there were a lot of good players that I know and have played against, and I had a good time.”

While interacting with Aranda in the film room, Reece got some insight into how the linebackers function in the new-look LSU defense.

The 6-foot, 220-pound prospect believes what he does now would translate well to what’s being installed in Baton Rouge, La..

“I asked him a question and he (Aranda) described the technique step-by-step with me, and he told me to keep him touch with him,” Reece recalled. “He was telling me how they’re changing the defensive scheme to get the linebackers blitzing and moving around.

“The blitzing was the main part. He was saying that he likes to get pressure and get defensive mismatches with the running backs having to block linebackers, which I’m strong in, and getting sacks.”

Reece already holds an offer from Tulane, which he picked up at a camp over the summer. He has also generated interest from Oklahoma State.

The New Orleans area linebacker wasn’t completely convinced that an offer from the in-state Tigers was on the way, but the back-and-forth between him and Aranda gave some him reassurance that it was a possibility, so long that he tried to earn it.

“Honestly, I really don’t know about an offer coming from LSU,” Reece admitted, “but Coach Aranda told me to follow him on Twitter and keep in touch. I’m going to a camp at LSU this summer, and if an offer comes my way, I’d appreciate it. If it doesn’t, I’m just going to keep working and working so I can get offers.”

Reece, rated Louisiana’s No. 40 prospect in the 247Sports Composite, also indicated that he would relish the opportunity to stay in-state at LSU, if and when that offer does roll in.

Either way, he was glad to have started to build a relationship with LSU’s new defensive coordinator and is confident the program is in good hands.

“It would be a big opportunity for me and my family to be able to play at the highest level and stay home, but my options still would be open,” Reece said. “I’m not going to feed off a name like LSU; I will put myself in a position to play early and for whatever school best fits me.”

“I can tell that other than being a good coach, he’s a good people person” Reece added on Aranda. “I think that will go a long way.”